Joe Pentecost was an entrepreneur, real estate developer, and long time supporter of many Michigan State University programs. Joe was born in Dresden, Tennessee and attended college at the University of Tennessee. After a tour in the National Guard, Joe joined Standard Oil Co. as a sales representative and soon became the Real Estate Manager for Standard Oil in the State of Michigan.  In 1962, he left to pursue a career in commercial real estate development and the rest is history. Over the years, Joe was involved in over 2,000 real estate related transactions and played an integral part in the shaping of the Greater Lansing business landscape.

His business and social associations included:
 

Owner and President of Better Properties Inc.

 Founding Director of Republic Bank

 Chairman of the Board of Republic Bancorp Central

 Director of First Union (Wachovia) National Bank of Florida
 
Founding Director of Mercantile Bank of Naples,Florida

Co-Founder of the National Association of Corporate Real Estate
 Executives (NACORE)

 Member of Walnut Hills Country Club in East Lansing, Michigan

 Member of Prestancia Country Club in Sarasota,Florida

 Member of the Elks
 Shriner of Elf Khurafeh Temple, Saginaw MI  

Life-time member Ashlar Masonic Lodge, #91, Detroit, MI.

His love and support for MSU goes back over 35 years.
His philanthropy was consistent, generous and has affected many people over the years as a result of major contributions to:

 The Spartan Stadium Expansion Project/MSU Football Program

 Berkowitz Basketball Complex

 Clara Bell Student-Athlete Academic Center

 Animal Science Program

Wrestling Locker Room Renovations

 MSU College of Human Medicine

 Jack Breslin Professorship in Oncology

Summer Jobs for Student Athletes Program.

 His affiliations with MSU are:

 Member of the Ralph Young Fund Scholarship Level

Member of the MSU Snyder Society

Life Member of the MSU Alumni Association

 Honorary Member of the MSU Varsity Alumni "S" Club

 Charter Member of the Langdon Legacy Society.